Old Glory brightens senior living community in Monterey

With its 13 broad stripes and 50 bright stars, a huge rendition of the American flag has been painted on a grassy area of the Park Lane senior living community in Monterey.

The 3,484-square-foot flag on the plaza was designed so residents could observe it from their balconies.

"All of us here are very patriotic," said Dorothy Sonander, a Park Lane resident. "We remember the days of the war, and we're very grateful to have this."

Sonander and her boyfriend Lloyd Barnes sat on a bench near the flag Wednesday, enjoying the day and taking pictures of the rendition.

"They absolutely love it. They appreciate stuff like this, especially it being the American flag," said activities director Alison Coderniz.

The idea to paint the flag on the plaza came from Park Lane Executive Director Frank White.

"It's been a dream of his," Coderniz said.

Park Lane is home to about 75 veterans, and staff will try to gather as many of them as possible to take a picture in front of the flag in the next few days.

The flag was spray-painted onto the grass June 28 by painter Ceasar Gutierrez from Hare Construction of Pacific Grove. He didn't charge for the six hours it took him to complete the project. Kelly Moore Paint in Seaside donated 32 gallons of paint and the use of a spray paint machine. Park Lane employees Jeff Lashbrooke, Fabian Ornelas, Thomas Moises and Thomas Stearns helped plot out the area to be painted.

Not everyone was happy with the painting. One resident felt it was offensive to see an American flag on the ground, calling it a sign of defeat.

The plan is to leave the flag untouched until sometime after the Fourth of July. Once it begins to grow out, it will be mowed.

With the support of contributors, Coderniz hopes to do this again next year.